Receive the latest national-international updates in your inbox

Johnan Barahona was deported to Honduras - and then brought back to this country by the U.S. government, his family says. His lawyer, Mayri Joli, discussed the unusual developments in her client's case. (Published Monday, Sep 17, 2012)

A South Florida man was deported to Honduras – and then brought back to this country by the U.S. government, his family says.

Johnan Barahona is a man in limbo after he was deported to his native country by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which then turned around and said it would help him return to the U.S.

Feds Kill Plans for ICE Detention Center

He was allowed to fly back to the U.S. but is being held at the Broward Transition Center in Pompano Beach.

Barahona’s lawyer said the government broke the law when it deported the 31-year-old man, who has a 5-year-old daughter, this summer.

Kidnapped Woman Was Rescued By TSA Agents at MIA: Authorities

In airport surveillance video obtained exclusively by NBC 6 South Florida, the victim is seen arriving at the terminal on July 5. Two TSA officers who helped her and Mark Hatfield, the head of TSA security at MIA, speak about the case. (Published Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012)

“There was an automatic stay pending at the time that he was taken to the airport and removed to Honduras,” Mayra Joli said.

She said Barahona, who came to the U.S. as a teenager, qualifies to stay in this country under three separate provisions, but was removed before he had a chance for his final appeal. Paperwork she filed should have gotten him a chance to present his case in court, she said.

But in a rarely seen move, the government said in writing said that it would help Barahona come back to the U.S., according to an email obtained by NBC 6 South Florida.

“On the advice of our Deputy Chief Counsel, we will try to facilitate your client’s return,” ICE deportation officer Anthony Clarke wrote to Joli after Barahona was sent to Honduras. “For this, we require your assistance in contacting him so we may direct him to the nearest U.S. Consulate and begin the process.”

Joli and other immigration attorneys said they haven’t seen ICE aid someone's return after he has already deported – until now.